"Queen Mary is a university with global recognition. The faculty you will get to learn from, work alongside and be mentored by are some of the best in their fields. This is an opportunity that will allow you to shape yourself as a researcher and an academic."
Why did you choose to study your course at Queen Mary?
When I was looking for studentship opportunities to follow my PhD, I was attracted to SBM’s research profile. Particularly to the work by my primary supervisor Professor Ahu Tatli and I was keen to develop myself as a researcher under her guidance.
What aspects of your degree did you find most enjoyable and was there anything that surprised you in your studies?
I really enjoyed the field work I did in Sri Lanka as part of my data collection. During my field work I got to meet women entrepreneurs from various parts of the island taking on the challenges and hardships of practicing entrepreneurship. This experience allowed me to be reflective of my own experiences as an entrepreneur and interrogate my own understandings and beliefs. Coming out of this study I feel it has changed me as a person and shaped my own world views.
How did Queen Mary support you during your studies?
The School of Business and Management (SBM), especially my supervisors Prof. Ahu Tatli, Dr. Mustafa Ozturk and Dr. Ishani Chandrasekara, provided me with great insights and feedback at every stage of my PhD journey that has shaped me as a researcher. I should also remember the research administrator, Saima Ahmed, for her support while I was overseas conducting my field work.
Can you describe your career path to date and touch on your current role?
Prior to joining the School of Business and Management (SBM), I was a senior lecturer in Sri Lanka, working with my supervisors to specialise in my topic and the various teaching opportunities at SBM allowed me to gather the experience and qualifications needed to follow an academic pathway in the UK. Currently I am a Lecturer in Post Graduate Business at the University of Sunderland.
Looking back, how did your time and study at Queen Mary help with your career and development?
Working at SBM allowed me to refine my teaching practices as well as my research skills, both essential for the career path I am on right now. Even when I was unsure of what to do next for my career development my supervisors and Dr. Andromachi Athanasopoulou were always there to give me guidance and support. It is that support system that helped me build up my confidence.
What would your advice be to students interested in studying the course you did at Queen Mary?
I believe you have made an excellent choice in considering Queen Mary. It is a great place to grow within your field and it offers you many opportunities to work alongside some of the leading researchers in your area. As your journey takes shape as a PhD candidate you will get to learn more about yourself, and Queen Mary provides great opportunities and resources to build yourself up.
What were the challenges and highlights of studying for your PhD?
I am sure many PhDs have experienced the stress, self-doubt, and confusion in the initial stages of their PhD. But this is also the beginning of one of the most beautiful parts of your journey, when you start to realise your growth and how you yourself have overcome the things that were holding you back, and finally, you overcome the imposter syndrome that many researchers feel at the initial stages.
What are some of your fondest memories from your time at Queen Mary?
I would say the connections and relationships I have formed during my time at Queen Mary are those that have made deep impressions on my life. It has been a great privilege to have met and worked with other researchers during my time at Queen Mary. One of the fondest memories is celebrating passing my first-year progression viva with my supervisors. It was an amazing feeling, and it gave me the stamina to follow my research through.
Why would you recommend Queen Mary to others?
Queen Mary is a university with global recognition. The faculty you will get to learn from, work alongside and be mentored by are some of the best in their fields. This is an opportunity that will allow you to shape yourself as a researcher and an academic.